In his inaugural homily, Pope Leo XIV quoted St. Ignatius of Antioch, saying, “To move aside so that Christ may remain” is an indispensable commitment for all those in the Church who exercise a ministry of authority. The Pope emphasized the importance of humility in Church leadership, encouraging leaders to make themselves small so that Christ may be known and glorified.
Pope Leo XIV’s words reflect a vision of the Church that prioritizes service and humility over power and recognition. He urged Church leaders to abandon desires for the spotlight and worldly reliance on power, structures, money, or marketing strategies, and instead entrust themselves to the guidance of Christ.
The Pope’s homily also highlighted the significance of the Church’s mission to make Christ known and loved by all. He emphasized that everything in the Church exists for the mission and that every member, from the Pope to the last baptized, must become small so that Jesus may be the protagonist.
The Pope’s message echoed the words of John the Baptist about Jesus, “He must increase, and I must decrease,” and reflected the teachings of his predecessor, Pope Francis, on the Church’s role in reflecting the light of Christ.
Vatican News
